Amusement device



March 9, 1943. H. BASCOM AMUSEMENT EvIcE Filed Jan. Q 1942 sheets-sheet 1 Marchvg, 1943. H; BASCQM 2,313,313

' AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 9. 1942 4 sheets-sheet 2 4r fok/IEX miv/ml l March 9, 1943.

H. BAscM 3 2,313,313

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 9. 1942 ,Wma

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IVA I 5)/ Agg /Z H. BAscoM AMUSEMENT DEVICE :March 9, 1943. 2,313,313

Filed Jan. e, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Mar. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE AMUSEMENT DEVICE Henry Bascom, St. Louis, Mo.

Application January 9, 1942, Serial No. 426,188 8 Claims. (Cl. 84--404) My invention has relation to improvements in amusement devices and it consists of the novel features of construction more fully set forth in the specification and pointed out in the claims.

The invention is directed more particularly to an article of use (in the present instance a shoeshine stand) which has embodied in it the mechanism of an amusement device whereby, while it is being used for its utilitarian purpose, it may also serve as a source of amusement. Briefly, this is accomplished by providing movable footrests for the shoeshine stand which are operatively associated with hammers concealed within the stand so that the bootblack in performing the shining operations may so manipulate the footrests as to imitate the sound ofy tap dancing or such variations thereof as his skill permits.

Obviously the objects of the invention, aside from the combining of a utilitarian device with anamusement device, are to provide a device of this character that is comparatively simple, easy to operate, and one in which the mechanism is concealed from view.

These objects will be better apparent from a detailed description of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shoeshine stand embodyingvmy improvements; Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinalsection taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2 (with a chair broken away); Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2 with parts broken away; Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on a plane indicated by the line 5-5 in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a sectional detail taken on a vertical plane indicated by the line 5 6 in Fig. 2; Figs. 7 and 8 'arecross-sectional details taken on the lines 1-1 and 8--8 respectively in Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse section taken on a plane indicated by the line 9-9 in Fig. 5; Fig. 9a is a transverse section taken on a plane indicated by the line ila-9e in Fig. 4; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section similar to that shown in Fig. 3 except that the foctrest has been tilted forward to actuate one of the tap hammers; Fig. 1l is a top plan of the footrest with the pads removed therefrom; Fig. 12 is a side elevational detail of one vof the locking discs for the hammers on line I2I2 of Fig. 9a; Fig. 13 shows an enlarged longitudinal sectional detail through one of the hammer activators; Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional detail taken on a plane indicated by the line I4|4 in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail through one of the hammer dampers; Fig.

16 is a middle vertical longitudinal section of a modified form of apparatus with parts of the structure broken away to show other parts more clearly; Fig. 17 is a horizontal longitudinal section taken on a plane indicated by the line i1-I 'I in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a vertical cross-section taken on a plane indicated by the line Iii- I8 in Fig. 16; Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional detail taken on a plane indicated by the line I9-I9 in Fig..18.

Fig. 2G is a lcross-sectional detail taken on a plane indicated by the line 2li- 2B in Fig. 18; Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional detail taken on a plane indicated by the line 2I--2I in Fig. 2D; Fig. 22 is a plan view of the actuating arm of one of the hammers shown in Figs. 16 and 17; and Fig. 23 isa pictorial view showing the operator actuatingl the amusement device while shining a pair of shoes.

Referring to the drawings, S represents a shoeshine stand comprising a cabinet I wherein the operating mechanism of the amusement device is housed (to be hereinafter described) and on which is mounted a chair C, the tubular supporting members 2, 2 of which are slidably held in place on the cabinet I by .confining members 3, 3. This arrangement of mounting the chair C permits it to be moved backward and forward to accommodate persons of different stature.

. On the forepart of the cabinet I there are a pair of tubular standards li, 4 confined in flanged sleeves 5, 5 Xed to the fioor 6 of cabinet I and rotatably supported in socket members 1, 1 secured on the top 8 of a drawer case 9 which receives a drawer I0. On the top of each standard d, casting II is fixed (by welding or otherwise) and said casting has a pair of forwardly and upwardly projecting lugs I2, l2 which support footrest I3. Each footrest I3 has a centrally disposed web I4 beneath it whereby the footrest is mounted between the lugs I2, I2 by means of a bolt I5 which serves as the fulcrum for the footrest for oscillating movement in a vertical plane. Since each footrest I3 together with its associated mechanism is identical in construction, a description of the mechanism of one will serve for the other.

As stated above, the footrest I3 is tiltable on the standard 4 and since the standard 4 is rotatable in its supporting socket 1, the footrest is capable of motion in tvvo planes, namely, a tilting motion in a vertical plane and an oscillating motion in a horizontal plane. Two pairs of double hammers I6, IS and I1, I'I are rotatably mounted on an axle I8 transversely disposed within cabinet I, the two outer hammers I6, I6

being connected to the iootrest for actuation when the latter is oscillated in a vertical plane,

kwhile the two middle hammers I?, I1 are conside of a panel 2I spaced a short distance below Y the floor 6 of cabinet I. The disposition of the hammers with respect to said sounding boards is such that when the hammers are in a horizontal position, the heads at both ends will be spaced from both sounding boards, but on the oscillation of any of said hammers rst one head and then the other will impinge upon the sounding boards I9 and 20 alternately.

The web I4 of foot-rest I3 has an extension 22 extending downwardly a short distance into tube 4 to which a link 23 is connected, said link extending through the tube 4 to an opening 24 near the lower end of the tube where the lower end of said link is pivotally connected to a bellcrank lever pivotally mounted on a bracket 2G securely fastened to the tube 4 just above the opening 24. The vertical arm 2 of bell-crank lever 25 has pivotal connection with a pair of links 28, 29, the outermost link 28 of which is made of spring metal so as to be ilexible latterly for a purpose presently to appear. There are four discs 30, 30 and 3l, 3| (one for each of the hammers I6, I6 and Il', Il) mounted for oscillation on the axle I8, the discs 30, 30 having outwardly extending hubs 32 and the discs 3I, 3I having hubs 33 from which depend actuating levers 34 and 35, respectively. The outer levers 34, 34 are connected to the ilexible links 28, 28 by rods 35, 38, which rods are under tension from coiled spring 3l', 3'! secured to them near their forward ends and also secured to an eye-bolt 38 carried by a frame 39 depending from a block 4D which forms apart of the cabinet I. By virtue of the spring 31 the connecting rods 35, 3S will be pulled rearwardly so as to rock the discs 3B, 30 in a direction to cause the rear heads I6' of hammers i5 to impinge on sounding board I9. At the same time the connections above described between connecting rods and footrest I3 will cause the foot-rest to be tilted with the heel part thereof in its 'lowest position.

It is quite apparent that if pressure is placed upon the forward part of the foot-rest I3 the same will be depressed causing the rear part to be raised which will rock the bell-crank 25 to draw the connecting rod 35 forwardly (overcoming the tension of spring 3"!) and rock discs 30 to cause the forward hammer I6" to impinge on sounding board 29. Thus it is possible by repeatedly tapping the forward part of the footrest, or the forward part of a shoe resting thereon, to oscillate hammer I5 and cause a continuous percussion of the hammer heads against the sounding boards.

In order to intensify the action of the hammers I 5 and I'I a further spring action effective on the discs 3G and 3l is brought about by a spring reed 4i projecting upwardly from a block 42 mounted on supporting brackets 43, 43, said reed having a wedge-shaped head 44 for engagement with a V-notch 45 in the bottom of each disc 30 and 3l. Thus when the discs are rocked the reeds 4I will be ilexed and impart their spring tension to the discs.

As stated above, the tube 4 has a slight rota` tive movement in the sockets 1, the degree of rotation being limited by a stop-screw 46 passed through the sockets 'I and into a slot 4l in the lower end of tube 4. The purpose of this rotative movement is to impart motion to the two intermediate hammers Il, II through a series of connections, including a stem 48 projecting inwardly from the lower end of each tube 4 to which is pivotally connected a connecting rod 49, which is F also connected to lever 35 of each disc 3l. The connecting rod 49 is under the tension of spring 50 which has one end connected to said rod and the other end to an I-bolt 5I secured in frame 39.

Thus when either of the foot-rests I3 are rotated the stern 48 will also be rotated so as to pull the connecting' rod 49 forwardly and oscillate the discs 3l, 3! (or either of them), thereby causing the hammers E?, Il to rock. By successively tapping the foot-rest, or the shoe resting thereon, in a lateral direction a series of percussions can be produced by means of the hammers II, Il in like manner as was produced by hammers I6, I6. Obvicusly, when the tube 4 is rotated the connections to the outer hammers I5, I6 will yield because of the flexible connection formed by the spring links 28.

In order to regulate the percussive force of the hammers on the sounding boards a pair of dampers 52 and 53 (of similar construction) are pivotally mounted in brackets 54, 55, the former to the rear of the oscillation center of the hammers and the latter forward thereof in such proximity to the stems of the hammers that the dampers may be adjusted to confine the oscillation of the hammers to a Very narrow compass. However, this adjustment may be varied so as to permit the hammers their maximum throw, which of course would cause the maximum percussive effect. This adjustment of the -dampers is effected by a double lever 58 pivotally mounted between the hammers and having a connecting rod 51 extending from one end thereof to the damper 53 and a second connecting rod 5B extending from near the other end thereof to damper 52. The position of the lever 55 may be varied by means of a rod 59 connected to the lower end of lever 56 and extending forwardly through the front of the cabinet I where it may be moved outwardly by a wing-nut 65.

When the wing-nut 60 is unscrewed the rod 59 is drawn rearwardly by a coiled spring 6I (Fig. 6). The dampers 52 and 53 comprise a block b with a rubber or other soit insert r which contacts with the arms of the hammers I6 and I'l.

When my device is not in use the movable parts may be locked against tampering by means of a pair of locking levers G2, 63 which are xed to a spindle 54 supported in brackets 65 above the discs 323 and1 3l, such spindle having a handle 66 projecting from the side of cabinet I whereby the locking levers B2 and 63 may be moved into or out of engagement with a notch 61 formed in the periphery of each of the discs 3l, 3|. Obviously, when the device is to be operated the handle is moved to a position so as to raise the locking levers and 63 clear of the notch 6T.

In Figs. 16 to 22, inclusive, I show a modified form of the invention which consists of a portable shoe-shinc stand in which my amusement device is embodied. In this modified form the cabinet 15 has a storage compartment 16 for supplies, above which is a seat 11 and below which is a drawer 18. At the end opposite to the seat 11 and supported on a partition 19 is a iianged socket 80 in which a tube 8| is mounted for limited rotative movement. Securely fixed to the upper end of the tube, which extends a short distance above the top of cabinet 15, is a casting 82 provided with spaced ears 83, B3 between which is pivotally mounted foot-rest B4 by means of a pin 85. The foot-rest 84 is constructed similarly to foot-rest |3 of the main form in that it has a centrally disposed web 85 having a rearwardly projecting arm 86 at the end oi which a link 81 is pivotally connected.

Thelink y31 extends downwardly through the tube 8| to an opening 88 in the si-de of said tube Where it has connection with a short lever 89 pivotally mounted between the spaced sides 9|), 99 of a bracket 9| securely xed to the tube 8| just below said opening 88. The end of lever 89 is notched to receive the extremity 92 of a lever 93 which is also pivotally mounted in the bracket 9 I.

Lever 93 forms the stem of a percussion member or hammer as on the free end thereof is fixed a percussion head 94. The head 94 normally rests on a sounding board 95 fixed in a partition wall 96 within cabinet 15. Since the link 81 is held in its lowermost position by a pair of coiled springs 91, 91 which have their upper` ends secured to the link 81 and their lower ends fixed to a disc 98 mounted at the upper end of a bolt 99 which traverses the partition 19 and has a wing-nut |90 passed over its lower threaded extremity, it should be readily apparent that the tension of springs 91, 91 will hold the foot-rest 84 with the heel portion `thereof in its lowermost position, and that when pressure is brought to bear on the sole part of the foot-rest, or upon a shoe resting thereon, the foot-rest will be tilted so as to draw upwardly on the link 81 which rocks the levers 89 and 93 in a manner to cause the hammer head 94 to be lifted from the sounding board 95. When such pressure is released the tension of the springs 91, 91 will cause the hammers to impinge on said sounding board. Under the hands of a skilled operator, the manipulations of the foot-rest may be so regulated. as to cause the hammer 94 to give forth a tapping sound.

However, in addition to the percussions of the hammer 94, additional sounds may be brought forth by manipulating the foot-rest 84 so as to rotate the tube 8|. This is accomplished through the following mechanism: An angle bracket extends latterly from tube 8| to which it is secured by an eye-bolt |92, said bracket having on its free end a tooth formation |93 for engagement with a notch |04 formed in a lever |95. The short end of said lever is pulled downwardly by a coiled spring |06 connected thereto and also connected to an adjusting bolt |91 passed through the partition 19 and having a wing-nut |98 on its threaded extremity. The free end. of the long arm of lever |95 carries a percussion head |99 normally in contact with a sounding board ||9 carried by partition wall 96. Obviously, the tension of spring |06 will rock the lever |95 so that head |09 will come in contact with sounding board |9. However, when the foot-rest 84 is moved so as to rotate tube 8| in a clockwise direction, the lever |9| will also be rotated and the tooth extremity thereof |93 will cause the lever to be rocked so as` to move the percussion head |89 downwardly from the sounding board ||9.

From the foregoing description, together with a reference to Fig. 23, it should be apparent that my improved invention constitutes a novel amusement device in which a boot-black, while in the act of shining a patrons shoes, may by the manner in which he manipulates the shoeshine cloth imitate the sounds produced in tap dancing. Any variety of tapping may be produced, limited only by the skill of the operator, by virtue of the double motion of the foot-rest.

In the main form of the invention, wherein there are two foot-rests, the operator may while shining one shoe manipulate the sound device of the other foot-rest with his elbow, thus increasing the frequency of :the taps.

In principle, the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 16v to 22, inclusive, is the same as that of the main form except that it is embodied in a portable device and utilizes but a single foot-rest.

It will be observed by referring particularly to Figs. 10, 11 and 16 that the foot-rests I3 and 84 are provided with sole pads o and heel pads a of rubber or other suitable resilient material which, together with the spikes s which project upwardly from the foot-rests through the pads, serve to hold the shoe firmly on the foot-rest while the operator is manipulating the device. Obviously any means of insuring frictional engagement of the shoe with the foot-rest may be availed of so long as it prevents slippa-ge of the shoe, which of course would interfere with the satisfactory manipulation of the device.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a shoeshine stand embodying a cabinet having a seat and a foot-rest, a rotatable supporting pedestal on which the foot-rest is movably mounted, a sounding board and a pair of percussion members in the cabinet, connections between the pedestal and one percussion member and connections between the foot-rest and the other percussion member for effecting impingement of a percussion member on the sounding board with movement of the foot-rest in either a horizontal or a vertical plane.

2. In a shoeshine stand embodying a cabinet having a seat and a foot-rest, a supporting pedestal on which the foot-rest is movably mounted, a sounding board and a percussion member in the cabinet, connections between the foot-rest and the percussion member for effecting impingement of the percussion member on the sounding board with movement of the foot-rest, and spring means effective on fthe percussion member for augmenting the impact thereof.

3. In a shoeshine stand embodying a cabinet having a seat and a foot-rest, a supporting pedestal on which the foot-rest is movably mounted, a sounding board and a percussion member in Ithe cabinet, connections between the foot-rest and the percussion member for effecting impingementof the percussion member on the sounding board with movement of the foot-rest, spring means for augmenting the impact of the percussion member and dampers for softening the effeot thereof.

4. In a shoeshine stand embodying a cabinet, an upright tubular pedestal rotatably mounted within the cabinet, a bracket on said pedestal, a foot-rest tiltably mounted in said bracket, a sounding board and a pair of percussion members mounted adjacent thereto and movable to and from said sounding board, connections from said tube to one of said percussion members for actuating the same on rotation of the tubular member, and connections from the foot-rest to the other percussion member for actuating the same on tilting the foot-rest.

5. In a shoeshine stand embodying a cabinet, an upright tubular pedestal rotatably mounted within the cabinet, a bracket cn said pedestal, a foot-rest tiltably mounted in said bracket, a sounding board and a pair of percussion members mounted adjacent thereto and movable to and from said sounding board, connections from said tube to one of said percussion members for actuating the same on rotation of the tubular member, and connections from the foot-rest to the other percussion member for actuating the same on tilting the foot-rest, some of the footrest connections passing through the tube.

6. n a shoeshine stand embodying a cabinet, an upright tubular pedestal rotatably mounted within the cabinet, a bracket on said pedestal, a foot-rest tiltably mounted in said bracket, a sounding board and a pair of percussion members mounted for oscillation adjacent thereto, each of said members having a head at both ends for impingement on the sounding board when the percussion member is oscillated, connections from said tube to one of said percussion members for actuating the same on rotation of the tubular member, and connections from Ithe foot-rest to the other percussion member for actuating the same on tilting the foot-rest,

7. In a shoeshine stand embodying a cabinet, an upright tubular pedestal rotatably mounted Within the cabinet, means for limiting the rotation of said pedestal, a bracket on said pedestal, a foot-rest tiltably mounted in said bracket, a sounding board and a pair of percussion members mounted adjacent thereto and movable to and from said sounding board, connections from said tube to one of said percussion members for actuating the same on rotation of the tubular member, and connections from the foot-rest to the other percussion member for actuating the same on tilting the foot-rest, the last mentioned connections including a ilexible link.

8. An amusement device embodying a cabinet having a sounding board in the cabinet, a pair of percussion members adjacent to said sounding board, a supporting pedestal rotatably mounted within the cabinet, a foot-rest pivotally mounted on the upper end of said pedestal and rotatable therewith, connections between the pedestal and one of said percussion members and connections between the foot-rest and the other percussion member for effecting impingement of the percussion members on the sounding board on tilting of the foot-rest and rotating the pedestal.

HENRY BASCOM. 

